International Student Library Guide 

The University of Massachusetts and the Five Colleges use the Library of Congress Classification system.

Use the Call Number Locations to find out where specific call numbers are located in the library.

This brief explanation of LC call numbers will help you find books and other materials in the library. (All items shelved in the library will have a call number on it).

You can browse the stacks by matching subject to call numbers.

Occasionally you may need materials that are not available at UMass and the Five College Libraries.

You can request materials from Interlibrary Loan (ILL) 

Depending on what you are requesting, it can take as little as two days to get most articles and some books. This service is free! Tip: Don't leave ILL requests to the last minute!

Search for Books in the Five Colleges catalog

If you know the title or author of the book you want, use the Quick Search box on the library homepage. For a more complicated search, choose the Books (library catalog) option, and then choose the Advanced tab. Use the dropdown boxes to focus your search terms, and the Limits to restrict your search to a range of dates, type of media, or even library location. (Here's a tip: if you wish to search only the UMass catalog, click on the UMass Amherst choice before you put in your search).

When you have found a book that seems useful, look at the Subject(s) entries; if you see one that looks good, click that to get other titles that have been given that subject heading.

You can get a book from the other Four Colleges by clicking on the Request Item button at the top of the book's record. 

You can also search WorldCat, a database of library catalogs from all over the world. If you find a book that is held by a library anywhere in the US, you can borrow it through Interlibrary Loan.

Contact Information

Du Bois Library Reference Department
Phone 413-545-0150

Sciences and Engineering Library Reference
Phone 413-545-6741